"None of us are immune to temptation," Kelling noted. "You just have to say 'No.'"

"Agreed." I said. "But that's easier said than done."

The truth is that if you're reading this column from a newspaper published on this planet, you're likely susceptible to many temptations. The last I checked, people like Jesse Jackson Jr., Lance Armstrong, and even Catholic priests were born on the third planet from the sun.

All of these men began with worthy goals and causes. They all promoted some measure of truth: Armstrong forwarded cancer research, Jackson fought for the workingman and the parish priest inspired faith. But a few of them fell from grace in much the same way Icarus did when he flew too close to the sun, and the melting wax caused him to fall into the sea.

When our heroes plummet earthward, I believe there are three principles to remember.

First, real truth remains true even when spoken by a liar. For instance, Jesse Jackson Jr.'s misuse of campaign money doesn't mean the causes he supported weren't worthy. Nor does Armstrong's lying devalue grit, determination and hard work. The moral bankruptcy of a few priests shouldn't keep us from practicing a working faith.

Second, I find that when people fail in a moral way, as Armstrong did, they aren't living strong, they are living scared. Just as fear can induce physical failure, it can also bring moral failures. For instance, when people obsessively fear becoming poor, they will steal like Jackson Jr. When they develop a fearful fixation against losing, they will cheat like Armstrong. When they fear losing their reputation, they lie like the priests.

At the end of the day, people will fail and we must forgive. We must forgive because we too have failed. We must forgive because Jesus taught, "Forgive us our trespasses as we have forgiven those who have trespassed against us."

Of course, forgiveness doesn't mean we have to trust again. LiveStrong will suffer from the loss of trust. Jackson Jr. will likely go to jail, as will some of the priests.

Only through forgiveness is truth able to shine through the flotsam of deception and failure. The truth that remains from Armstrong's legacy will be his charitable work. The truth that remains from Jackson Jr.'s failure is that we must never give up on making our world a better place. And the truth that remains from the priest debacle is that God is still love, even when people aren't.

"Oh, and by the way," said my mentor, "The third reason chaplains get in trouble is when they wear the uniform incorrectly.

I gave him a puzzled look.

"You have your hat on backward."

Kelling was smart like that. I think that's how he retired as a full colonel.

[ Norris Burkes is a syndicated columnist, national speaker and author. He also serves as an Air National Guard chaplain and is board certified in the Association of Professional Chaplains. Email him at ask@thechaplain.net. ]

<p>Twenty-seven years ago, I was a newly minted Air Force chaplain when I asked my mentor, Chaplain Major Ron Kelling, to name the top three ways chaplains get in trouble.</p><p>Kelling, a former Vietnam fighter pilot, had no trouble squeezing out a rapid-fire answer.</p><p>"It's either money or women!"</p><p>He mentioned money because military chaplains must account for the offerings received at weekly worship services.</p><p>"I'll have no problem with money," I promised. For some reason, the temptation to steal money has always been a foreign idea to me.</p><p>I paused on the second part of my answer, and Kelling fixed me in a target lock to show he was waiting.</p><p>"I'm happily married," I reported, "but I can't say I feel immune to sexual temptations."</p><p>"None of us are immune to temptation," Kelling noted. "You just have to say 'No.'"</p><p>"Agreed." I said. "But that's easier said than done."</p><p>The truth is that if you're reading this column from a newspaper published on this planet, you're likely susceptible to many temptations. The last I checked, people like Jesse Jackson Jr., Lance Armstrong, and even Catholic priests were born on the third planet from the sun.</p><p>All of these men began with worthy goals and causes. They all promoted some measure of truth: Armstrong forwarded cancer research, Jackson fought for the workingman and the parish priest inspired faith. But a few of them fell from grace in much the same way Icarus did when he flew too close to the sun, and the melting wax caused him to fall into the sea.</p><p>When our heroes plummet earthward, I believe there are three principles to remember.</p><p>First, real truth remains true even when spoken by a liar. For instance, Jesse Jackson Jr.'s misuse of campaign money doesn't mean the causes he supported weren't worthy. Nor does Armstrong's lying devalue grit, determination and hard work. The moral bankruptcy of a few priests shouldn't keep us from practicing a working faith.</p><p>Second, I find that when people fail in a moral way, as Armstrong did, they aren't living strong, they are living scared. Just as fear can induce physical failure, it can also bring moral failures. For instance, when people obsessively fear becoming poor, they will steal like Jackson Jr. When they develop a fearful fixation against losing, they will cheat like Armstrong. When they fear losing their reputation, they lie like the priests.</p><p>At the end of the day, people will fail and we must forgive. We must forgive because we too have failed. We must forgive because Jesus taught, "Forgive us our trespasses as we have forgiven those who have trespassed against us."</p><p>Of course, forgiveness doesn't mean we have to trust again. LiveStrong will suffer from the loss of trust. Jackson Jr. will likely go to jail, as will some of the priests.</p><p>Only through forgiveness is truth able to shine through the flotsam of deception and failure. The truth that remains from Armstrong's legacy will be his charitable work. The truth that remains from Jackson Jr.'s failure is that we must never give up on making our world a better place. And the truth that remains from the priest debacle is that God is still love, even when people aren't.</p><p>"Oh, and by the way," said my mentor, "The third reason chaplains get in trouble is when they wear the uniform incorrectly.</p><p>I gave him a puzzled look.</p><p>"You have your hat on backward."</p><p>Kelling was smart like that. I think that's how he retired as a full colonel.</p><p></p><p>[ Norris Burkes is a syndicated columnist, national speaker and author. He also serves as an Air National Guard chaplain and is board certified in the Association of Professional Chaplains. Email him at ask@thechaplain.net. ]</p>